You hear it every year from every Eagles coach: Some young players take longer than others for the light to go on or for them to grow into their position or get their bodies and minds in perfect sync.

For the rare gems, it happens right away, as it did for DeSean Jackson in 2008 and Jeremy Maclin last season. For others, such as defensive tackle Trevor Laws, it might take a little longer.

Laws, don't forget, was so highly thought of by the Eagles two years ago that he was drafted ahead of Jackson. He's barely seen the field since, and even appeared to take a step backward in his second year, when he was inactive for the Eagles' last five games, including their playoff loss.

So heading into his third season, Laws and his coaches correctly sense that leap forward they've been looking for has to happen before the end of the summer, because they aren't going to wait around for a fourth.

The initial signs are encouraging. Laws has reported to camp 20 pounds heavier, as requested by the team, and is making more plays in practice, also as requested by the team.

"From what I've seen, he's put himself in that type of position at this point," defensive coordinator Sean McDermott said today at training camp. "Being two weeks into camp he seems primed to have a good year for us and, like I said, he seems hungry and he worked his tail off during the offseason.

"So I like what I've seen from Trevor, liked what I saw from [DT Antonio] Dixon, and I'll throw [DT] Jeff Owens in there at the same time. We've got some competition at that position, which is how this thing is meant to be built at this point."

Laws for the first time appears poised to make an impact on the defense.

"I feel great this year," he said. "You know, it's my first camp where I've really been healthy. My body is feeling great. I put on a little bit of weight and strength in the offseason. I got a little mustache, so I'm feeling pretty good about it.

"[The weight gain] helped me out. I'm in there watching them double myself last year, you know, watching some of the double teams I was taking on. Thought that if I put on a little more strength, a little more size, in my lower body especially, it would really help me out on those double teams."

Trevor Laws: Another player to really keep an eye on in this preseason.